KidsAgainstHungerJamestown (CSi) For the fifth time since 2011, Kiwanis is coordinating a Kids Against Hunger event in Jamestown.

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor as well as many community contributions, Kiwanis will again work with the Aberdeen, S.D., branch of Kids Against Hunger to package the meals at James River Valley Fitness (former YMCA) in Jamestown. More than 400 volunteers are needed to help package meals, or about 200 for each shift. 

The meal-packaging event set for November 14, 2015  at UJ’s Larson Center.

Marketing Manager for First Community Credit Union and past-president of Jamestown Kiwanis, Janna Bergstedt, says “With the help of our generous donors, our goal is to raise $50,000. Last year, we raised $40,000. Extra money means extra meals for hungry children at home and abroad.”

The two shifts are: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. At prior events, volunteers attended in groups from churches, schools, service clubs and families including but not limited to Litchville-Marion, Devils Lake, Medina and Steele youth groups, church groups from St. Paul’s United Methodist, Atonement Lutheran, Church of Latter Day Saints, Immanuel Lutheran and St. James Basilica as well as sports teams from the University of Jamestown.

Kids Against Hunger packages and sends meals consisting of vegetables, vitamins, rice and soy for starving children in the U.S. and abroad. Meal recipients need only to add water and boil the dried ingredients for 20 minutes. Meals are distributed internationally as well as locally through Great Plains Food Bank.

Jamestown raised $23,000 for its first Kids Against Hunger event in April 2011, packaging 100,000 meals. It again raised $25,000 in October 2011, matching a $25,000 gift from the anonymous donor. With the help of multiple anonymous donors, Kiwanis raised $30,000 in 2013 and $40,000 in 2014.

For more information about Jamestown’s Kids Against Hunger event, to donate to the cause or to volunteer email JamestownKiwanis@gmail.com, call 701-251-2237, or visit the  Facebook page